Seacoast residents rally to help Hurricane Sandy victims

Monday

Nov 19, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By RON COLESpecial to the Democrat

PORTSMOUTH — After Hurricane Sandy came ashore near Atlantic City, New Jersey on Oct. 29, it became known as the largest Atlantic hurricane on record with winds spanning 1,100 miles. Sandy is the second costliest Atlantic hurricane after Hurricane Katrina with losses, including business interruption, of more than $50 billion. And at least 209 people lost their lives along the path of the storm in seven countries.

“Almost three weeks after the storm hit, there is still so much devastation in the New York — New Jersey area,” said Portsmouth's Carrie Barron, “and I wanted to do something more than just make a donation by myself.”

Using social media, friends, and with the assistance of Aaron Jones and Carrie Law, owners of The Exchange in Portsmouth, Barron set out to do that “something more.”

The Derry native, now a resident of Portsmouth, is an event planner by trade and used her professional skills to bring about an event at The Exchange on Saturday night.

“We expect to have 75 or 100 people in the course of the night, who will purchase tickets for $25, $20 of every ticket will go directly to the American Red Cross and Humane Disaster Relief.

“We have music on hand and a silent auction for the enjoyment of our patrons,” said owner Jones. “Carrie is so dedicated we are pleased to help out.”

Portsmouth resident Heidi White was at the function, “I'm am on board and excited to be here,” said the proprietor of the Vanity Hair Studio. “My heart goes out to those people still affected. I have clients with friends and relatives in that area that still are without power three weeks later.”

Said Kimberly Stout, “This is a great way to help people that need it — we need do to more of this,”she said as she was filling out a bid for one of the silent auction items.

“I just approached local residents and business people for donations and they opened up their hearts and donated some amazing things,” said Barron.

Some of the 21 items donated were a $500 gift certificate good at Seacoast restaurants from Taste of the Seacoast magazine, four tickets to Loudon's NASCAR race on July 14, 2013, and even an opportunity to bid for tickets to the Elmo Super Heroes show in Boston.

Salem residents Paula Schwarzenberg, Dawn Baron, PatiLombari, Jo-Anne Morley and Brenda Macskill heard of the benefit and made their first visit ever to the brick-walled Exchange. “I personally don't know anyone in the devastated area, but the stories are astounding, Staten Island got slammed,” said Morley.

As the door opened and Carrie Barron greeted the new arrivals, welcoming them and pointing them toward the silent auction items, Kimberly Stout smiled and said, “This is wonderful, Portsmouth is such a reach out community.”